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SECONDARY AMENORRHEA. Dr Hanaa Alani. AMENORRHEA. Is the absence or abnormal cessation of the menses. PHYSIOLOGIAL AMENORRHEA. PATHOLOGIAL AMENORRHEA. CONTROL OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE. HYPOTHALAMUS PITUITARY ENDOCRINE OVARIAN OUTFLOW TRACT AXIS. CLASSIFICATION OF AMENORRHEA. Pre-puberty
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SECONDARY AMENORRHEA Dr Hanaa Alani
AMENORRHEA Is the absence or abnormal cessation of the menses PHYSIOLOGIAL AMENORRHEA PATHOLOGIAL AMENORRHEA
CONTROL OFMENSTRUAL CYCLE HYPOTHALAMUS PITUITARY ENDOCRINE OVARIAN OUTFLOW TRACT AXIS
CLASSIFICATION OF AMENORRHEA Pre-puberty Pregnancy related Menopause Primary Secondary
AMENORRHEA • A patient is diagnosed with primary amenorrhea if she has not reached menarche by age 16 with normal secondary sexual characteristics. • Secondary amenorrhea if established menses have ceased for longer than 6 months without any physiological reasons. PATHOLOGICAL AMENORRHEA
Secondary Amenorrhea Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods for 6 months in a woman who had previously been regular.
Secondary Amenorrhea- Physiological - The most common cause of secondary amenorrhea in reproductive age women is pregnancy and this should always be excluded by physical exam and laboratory testing for the pregnancy hormone - HCG.
Secondary Amenorrhea- ETIOLOGY - ENDOCRINE HYPOTHALAMUS-PITUITARY Pituitary tumour Sheehan’s syndrome Hypothalamic dysfunction Hypothyroidism Cushing’s Adrenal tumour Ovarian tumour (androgen) OVARIAN Premature ovarian failure PCOS Surgical removal Asherman’s syndrome Hysterectomy OUTFLOW TRACT
Secondary Amenorrhea/Oligomenorrhea: Etiology • Most common etiologies: • Ovarian disease – 40% • Hypothalamic dysfunction – 35% • Pituitary disease – 19% • Uterine disease – 5% • Other – 1%
Secondary Amenorrhea/Oligomenorrhea: Etiology Pregnancy Thyroid disease Hyperprolactinemia Prolactinoma Breastfeeding, Breast stimulation Medication (i.e. Antipsychotics, Antidepressants) Hypergonadotropichypogonadism Postmenopausal ovarian failure Premature ovarian failure Hypogonadotropichypogonadism Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (i.e. Anorexia or Bulimia nervosa) CNS tumor (i.e. Craniopharyngioma) Sheehan’s syndrome Chronic illness Normogonadotropic Outflow tract obstruction (i.e. Asherman’s syndrome, Cervical stenosis) Hyperandrogenicanovulation (i.e. PCOS, Cushing’s disease, CAH)
Secondary Amenorrhea- ETIOLOGY - HYPOTHALAMIC CAUSES Hypothalamic dysfunction is a common cause (30%). It is more often seen as a result of stress, weight loss and eating disorders It may be due to tumour, infarction, thrombosis or inflammation.
Secondary Amenorrhea- ETIOLOGY - PITUITARY CAUSES Pituitary failure - It is usually the acquired type as the result of trauma, treatment of pituitary tumour or infarction after massive blood loss ( Sheehan’s syndrome ) Pituitary tumour hyperprolactinaemia which cause secondary amenorrhea.
Secondary Amenorrhea- ETIOLOGY - ENDOCRINE CAUSES Thyroid disorder and Cushing’s disease interfere with the normal functioning of the hypothalamic -pituitary – ovarian axis present with amenorrhea. High level of thyroxine inhibit FSH release. Androgen – secreting tumours of the ovaries cause secondary amenorrhea.
Secondary Amenorrhea- ETIOLOGY - ANATOMICAL CAUSES Usually due to previous surgery. Commonest example: 1). Hysterectomy 2). Endometrial ablation 3). Asherman’s syndrome (damage to the endometrium with adhesion formation) 4). Stenosis of the cervix following cone biopsy
1-Uterine defect Asherman`s syndrome This is intrauterine synechiae *withdrawal beeding after hormonal test is negative *history of D&C after delivery or termination of pregnancy other cauese TB or schistosomiasis *normal ovulatory cycle & premenstrual symptoms Patients with Asherman`s syndrome may evaluated by HSG & transvaginal US TREATMENT *hysteroscopic treatment with excision of synechiae *mainaining of seperation of uterine walls by insertion of a large inert IUCD such as a Lippes loop The result of treatment are often disappointing in term of subsequent fertility
Secondary Amenorrhea- ETIOLOGY - PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE Premature ovarian failure occurs in about 1% before the age of 40. Premature ovarian failure may be due to: 1). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 2). Autoimmune disease following viral infection 3). Following surgery for conditions such as endometriosis
2-Premature ovarian failure Ovarian failure before 40 years Ovarian failure before 30 years may be due to chromosomal disorders . Karyotyping is done to check for mosaicism ( some cells have Y chromosme) gonadectomy is indicated to prevent malignant transformation Other causes of premature ovarian failure Ovarian injury from surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, galactocaemia &autoimmunity When premature ovarian failure is secondary to autoimmunity other endocrine organs could be affected Investigations FBS for diabetes Free thyroxine, TSH for hypothyroidism Serum calcium for hypoparathyroidism Fasting morning cortisol Treatment of premature ovarian failure By hormone therapy (estrogen & progesterone)
Secondary Amenorrhea- ETIOLOGY - DRUGS CAUSING HYPERPROLACTINAEMIA Hyperprolactinaemia accounts for 20% of cases of amenorrhea. Prolactin inhibits GnRH release from the hypothalamus Drugs may cause hyperprolactinaemia:
3-Amenorrhea with hyperprolactinaemia Galactorrhea is the most frequently observed abnormalities associated with hyperprolactinemia Hyperprolactinemia that is sever or associated with menstrual disturbances or galactorhea should be confirmed by a second test, TSH should be tested for hypothyroidism If clinically significant hyperprolactinaemia is not explained by hypothyroidism or drug use a CT or MRI scan of sellaturcica should be performed Drugs that may cause hyperprolactinaemia includes 1-tranqulizers 2-antidepressants 3-antihypertensives 4-narcotics 5-metaclopramide
Mechanisms that produce Prolactin 1 - Normally dopamine suppresses prolactin production. If a mass compresses the stalk of the pituitary, the dopamine feedback pathway is interrupted and it can no longer inhibit prolactinprolactin levels. Also,GnRH will not be able to pass through and there will be LH and FSH. If there is prolactin and LH & FSH there may be E2 (Estradiol) levels - consider hormone replacement therapy. 2 - Hyperprolactinemia may also be caused by psychoactive drugs which suppress dopamine. Even so, you will still see FSH & LH levels. 3 - Prolactin secreting adenomas produce excess prolactin levels
Two types of Prolactin Secreting Adenomas Microadenomas vs. Macroadenomas < 10 mm > 10 mm diagnosed on MRI – important to do Associated with visual symptoms Very benign and headaches Treat symptoms only – amenorrhea Must be treated Follow up MRIs every 1-2 yrs to check surgical treatment Bromocriptine agonist – may shrink adenoma for additional growth Radiation - works well but may cause panhypopituitarism.
Treatment of Hyperprolactinemia Dopamine agonist therapy - (Cabegolin,Bromocriptine) - most common. This should induce ovulation and shrink the adenoma. With drug induced hyperprolactinemia, bromocriptine may counter the effects of the anti-depressent medications. If it is a macroadenoma, transphenoidal resection may be done. This will result in resumption of ovulation for 40% of patients. Only 10-50% will have a long tercure with the surgery. Response to radiation can be very slow. If a patient has a microadenoma or other causes of hyperprolactinemia, birth control pills may be used to bring on regular periods and to correct the galactorrhea. If a woman wants to try and have a baby you can try ovulation induction. Goals of Treatment: regulate menses, prevent endometrial hyperplasia, induce ovulation for pregnancy, improve hirsutism (excessive body hair in a masculine pattern of distribution due to hereditary or hormonal factors.)
Secondary Amenorrhea- ETIOLOGY - POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS) PCOS accounts for 90% of cases of oligoamenorrhea Also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome The etiology is probably related to insulin resistance, with a failure of normal follicular development and ovulation The classical picture – AMENORRHEA, OBESE, SUBINFERTILITY and HIRSUITISM
THE ASSESSMENT HISTORY EXAMINATION INVESTIGATIONS
ASSESSMENT The most common cause of secondary amenorrhea in reproductive age women ispregnancyand this should always be excluded by physical exam and laboratory testing for the pregnancy hormone - HCG.
History ASSESSMENT A good history can reveal the etiologic diagnosis in up to 85% of cases of amenorrhea.
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT- HISTORY - ASK ABOUT Menstrual cycle age of menarche and previous menstrual history Previous pregnancies - severe PPH (Sheehan’s syndrome) Weight change A large amount of weight loss (anorexia nervosa) Hot flashes , decreased libido premature menopause Certain medications Contraception Associate symptoms - Cushing's disease , hypothyroidism Previous gynaecological surgery Chronic illness
CLINICAL ASSESSMENT- EXAMINATION - CHECK FOR BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) weight loss-related amenorrhea BLOOD PRESSURE elevated in Cushing and PCOS ANDROGEN EXCESS hirsuitism (PCOS) – virilization (tumour) Secondary sexual characteristic Breast examination may revealed galactorrhea, Abdominal (haemato mera) and pelvic masses (ovarian tumour) Inspection of genitalia cervical stenosis
If the history and physical exam are suggestive of a certain etiology CLINICAL ASSESSMENT- INVESTIGATIONS - The workup can sometimes be more directed
Some patients will not demonstrate any obvious etiology for their amenorrhea on history and physical examination CLINICAL ASSESSMENT- INVESTIGATIONS - These patients can be worked up in a logical manner using a stepwise approach.
INVESTIGATINGSECONDARY AMENORRHEA The most common cause of secondary amenorrhea in reproductive age women ispregnancyand this should always be excluded by physical exam and laboratory testing for the pregnancy hormone - HCG.
INVESTIGATINGSECONDARY AMENORRHEA • Progesterone challenge test • TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) • FSH, LH • Prolactin level Once pregnancy has been excluded
Secondary Amenorrhea/Oligomenorrhea: Evaluation Progestin challenge test Medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg daily for 10 days IF withdrawal bleed occurs – Not outflow tract obstruction IF no withdrawal bleed occurs – Estrogen/Progestin challenge test Estrogen/Progestin challenge test Oral conjugated estrogen 0.625 – 2.5 mg daily for 35 days Medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg daily for 26-35 days IF no withdrawal bleed occurs – Endometrial scarring Hysterosalpingogram or Hysteroscopy to evaluate endometrial cavity
INVESTIGATING SECONDAY AMENORRHEA NEGATIVE PREGNANCY TEST FSH, LH and Thyroid function test Progesterone challenge test WITHDRAWAL BLEEDING NO WITHDRAWAL BLEEDING HYPOESTROGENIC COMPROMISED OUTFLOW TRACT ANOVULATION Positive E-P challenge test Negative E-P challenge test FSH normal + high LH PCOS High prolactin pituitary tumour Normal or Low FSH Very high FSH Normal FSH Ovarian Failure Asherman’s syndrome (HSG or hysteroscopy) Hypothalamic-pituitary failure
Secondary Amenorrhea/Oligomenorrhea: Evaluation Evaluation of hyperandrogenism Symptoms: hirsutism, acne, alopecia, masculinization, and virilization Differential diagnosis: Adrenal disorders: Atypical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), Cushing’s syndrome, Adrenal neoplasm Ovarian disorders: PCOS, Ovarian neoplasms Lab: Testosterone, DHEA-S, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone
SECONADARY AMENORRHEA Ovarian failure(premature menopause) chromosomal anomalies autoimmune disease If the woman is under 30, a karyotype should be performed to rule out any mosaicism involving a Y chromosome. it is prudent to screen for thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal dysfunction If a Y chromosome is found the gonads should be surgically excised. Laboratory evidence of autoimmune phenomenon is much more prevalent than clinically significant disease
Hypothalamic-pituitary failure SECONDARY AMENORRHEA • Patients who do not bleed after the progestin challenge • But do bleed after estrogen/progestin and • Have normal or low FSH and LH levels
TREATMENT OF AMENORRHEA The need for treatment depends on Underlying causes Need for regular periods Trying to conceive (fertility Need for contraception)
TREATMENT OF AMENORRHEA TRYING TO CONCEIVE The prognosis for women with confirmed ovarian failure is poor. ANOVULATION response well with ovulation induction treatment PCOS ovulation may resume with weight reduction – fertility drugs - use of gonadotrophins or ovarian drilling. HYPERPROLACTINAEMIA respond to treatment with dopamine agonist. HYPOTHALAMIC DYSFUNCTION maintenance of normal weight and change of lifestyle ASHERMAN’S syndrome breaking down adhesion + insert IUCD
TREATMENT OF AMENORRHEA WANT REGULAR PERIOD The use of 1): COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE 2): HRT NEED CONTRACEPTION Confirmed ovarian failure will not required contraception Women requiring contraception oral contraceptives are method of choice
Amenorrhea/Oligomenorrhea: Management *Causes of primary amenorrhea only
Treatment goals of amennorrhea and oligomenorrhea include prevention of complications such as osteoporosis, endometrial hyperplasia and heart disease; preservation of fertility; and in primary amenorrhea, progression of normal pubertal development
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